Squamish RCMP investigate report of man who approached young girl

Police Briefs: Cabin destroyed in fire; Pet python escapes

Squamish RCMP is seeking anyone who may have witnessed a suspicious man who allegedly approached a 10-year-old girl last week.

The incident occurred at Clark Drive and Highway 99 at around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, after police were called in to investigate. Police are also specifically looking for two girls who are believed to have been in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident.

Investigators have learned that the girl was walking on the trail from Clark Drive beside the highway when the man appeared from the bushes.

"The intentions of the man have yet to be determined, but investigators are looking to identify any witness in order to further the investigation," said Cpl. Sascha Banks in a release. "The girl was very brave, she yelled and ran away to find a trusted adult, she reacted exactly as she should have."

The suspect is described as being light skinned with grey hair, black pants and no shirt, possibly tattoos on his arm and neck, and cuts on his upper body, police said.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100 or Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.crimestoppers.net.

Brandywine cabin burns down

A Blackcomb Snowmobiles cabin in Brandywine that went up in flames was extinguished before it spread to the nearby forest, said the Whistler Fire Rescue Service.

Deputy Fire Chief Chris Nelson said a smouldering chimney sparked the fire on Sunday, Oct. 1, which completely destroyed the small log cabin.

"The initial report was the individual staying there had a fire the night before and got up the next morning to rewarm the cabin and went outside and noticed smoke coming from the chimney in the roof," Nelson added.

Whistler firefighters responded despite Brandywine falling outside of their jurisdiction in an effort to prevent the blaze from developing into a wildfire.

"We have the authority to respond if we believe it poses a threat to our community," explained Nelson.

"Potentially, it could have been a big event if we didn't do something about it."

Escaped python found under dryer

A Creekside resident was in for a slithery surprise last week when they discovered a three-foot snake under their dryer.

Police were called on Sept. 26 after the ball python managed to escape its enclosure inside an Alpha Lake Village duplex and "settled under a warm dryer" in a neighbour's unit, relayed Hayes.

Occupants barricaded the pet snake overnight before police and conservation officers arrived the following day. Like something out of a bad horror movie, the python "retreated back into the walls" as police and conservation officers were attempting to retrieve it, Hayes said. It eventually returned to its home and owner, reported police.

Ball pythons are permitted as pets in B.C., although Hayes noted that police "don't get too many python reports" in Whistler.

Valuables stolen from vehicles

Several unlocked vehicles had items stolen from them on the same day last week, police confirmed.

On Sept. 30, Whistler RCMP received a complaint of a handful of vehicles that had been rummaged through in the 1300 block of Cloudburst Drive. In all cases, police said the doors of the vehicles had been left unlocked, with valuables and personal identification inside.

Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to contact the Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044.